Joan Baez, Santana, CSN to Play Inaugural Love-Fest

Washington – Not since 1969 has such a spirit of openness been present in American society. Reflecting that spirit, several legendary performers will delight fans and protesters at the Inaugural of Love, a free concert to usher in President Bush’s second term, already being dubbed, “The Winter of Love.”

Santana, Joan Baez, Crosby, Stills & Nash and Richie Havens are just a few of the artists expected to make an appearance. Plans to include Indian music legend Ravi Shankar have hit a snag, however. Shankar left his native India a week ago, but was stopped at an airport checkpoint. He has not been seen or heard from since.

“We’re hopeful we’ll locate him,” Carlos Santana said. “I mean, there’s such a feeling of love and hope right n ow, they might even let him go, even with him being Indian. Who knows, you know?”

Protesters who had been planning to turn their backs on the president now say they experienced a collective epiphany upon arriving in Washington and instantly absorbing the loving spirit. They now plan to face front during the ceremony.

“I think we’ve just realized the error of our ways,” Stephanie Smith a protester who had been planning to turn her back, said. “This president is all about love. I don’t know what we were thinking before.”

For his part, the president is delighted that such artists will be performing for his second inauguration. “I’m just as pleased as punch. And I know Rehnquist loves CSN, so let’ s hope he lives until the ceremony.”